Cardio2...Q - maryam2009

[ArchivalUser]

A patient with long-standing, moderately severe anemia dies in an
automobile accident. He was driving, and an autopsy is performed to
determine the cause of death. Which of the following cardiac changes
will most likely be seen when the heart is examined?
A. Endocarditis
B. Fatty change of myocytes
C. Fibrinous pericarditis
D. Fibrosis of valve leaflets
E. Frank myocardial infarction

[ArchivalUser]

D?? not sure

[ArchivalUser]

B probably..

[ArchivalUser]

I think it should be D.Fibrosed valve leaflets may damage RBCs and may produce anemia

[ArchivalUser]

The correct answer is B.

Chronic anemia is not simply a disease of the blood. Other changes that can occur with long-standing, moderately severe anemia include skin atrophy and koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails, particularly in iron-deficiency anemia). Fatty change of cardiac myocytes, renal proximal convoluted tubule cells, and centrilobular hepatic cells, and degeneration of neurons of the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia are also seen. With time, some of these cells may die, producing a patchy cell loss.
Endocarditis (choice A) usually has an infectious etiology.
Fibrinous pericarditis (choice C) typically is seen following myocardial infarction.
Fibrosis of valve leaflets (choice D) can be seen with aging or as a complication of infective endocarditis.
Frank myocardial infarction (choice E) can occur in very severe anemia, particularly if superimposed by an additional hypoxic insult, such as hemorrhage, shock, or pneumonia, but is not typical of long-standing moderately severe anemia.

[ArchivalUser]

very good Q thanks